Fire-escape.



Patented Feb. 27, |900.

No. 644,4l8.

l. L. GLEASON.

FIRE ESGAPE.

lApplication led May 31, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES ATENT GFFTCE.

IRA L. eLnAsoN, or4 HUToI-n'NsoN, MINNESOTA.

FIRE-ESCAPE SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 644,418,dated February 27', 1900.

' Application filed May S1, 1899. Serial No. 718,804. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern: l

Be it known that I, IRA L. GLnAsoN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hutchinson, in the county of McLeod and State of Minnesota,have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Fire-Escapes; andIdo herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has for its object to provide an improved fire-escape ofsimplified and improved construction; and to this end it consists of thenovel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described, anddefined in the claim.

The invention is in the nature of what may be well characterized as arope-grip or friction-brake lire-escape, inasmuch as it involves a ropeor similar suspended connection and a traveler or carrier movable overthe same and provided with means for frictionally clamping the rope toproperly control the speed of descent of the person descending.

The invention in its preferred form is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings,wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout theseveral views.

Figure 1 is a View, principally in side elevation, but with some partsbroken away and others sectioned, showing my improved lireescape aspreferably constructed. Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line:1:2 2of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a transverse Section taken on the line m3:r3 of Fig. l.

The numeral 1 indicates a rope which is to be used to support the persondescending by means of the lire-escape. This rope will be suitablysecured at its upper end in a manner to be hereinafter more particularlyconsidered.

The body of the carrier or traveler is in the form of a quite-longchannel-piece, (indicated as an entirety by the numeral 2.) Securedbetween the sides and approximately at the center of the channel-piece2is astud or frictionpin 3, and the back of the Vsaid channel-piece 2 ispreferably cut away in the vicinity of said stud 3, as indicated by thenumeral 4. On each side of the stud 3 the sides of the channel-piece 2are formed with longitudinallyeier.

extended stop-shoulders 5 for a purpose which will presently appear.

The rope 1 is given at least one wrap around the friction-stud 3, andits ends are passed in opposite directions one through each of the guideloops or eyes 6 at the ends of the carrier 2. Between the eyes or loops6 and the stud 3 the rope is adapted to be pressed into frictionalengagements with the back wall of thecarrier 2 or against the surfacesindicated at '7. Extending from end to end and from the back of thecarrier or traveler 2 is along bail or handle 8.

Pivotedl between the sides of the traveler or carrier 2 on hinged pinsor rivets 9 is a pair of brake-levers or clamps 10, theoutwardly-.projecting ends of which cooperate with the adjacent surfaces7 of the traveler 2 to pinch the rope when gripped by the hand of theoperator. The eXtreme outer ends of the clamping-levers 10 are hooked orbent, as indicated at ll, to enable the operator t0 0btain a more securegrip on the so-called trav- The inwardly-projected ends of the levers 10are lprovided with stop-anges 12, which cooperate with the adjacent stoplian ges or lugs 5, heretofore noted as being located on the side angesof the carrier or traveler 2, and thus serve to limit the opening oroutward movements of the said clamping-levers.

The numeral 13 indicates a body strap which is provided at one end witha large ring 14 and at its other end witha spring snap or hook 15. Thering 14 is secured to the handle or yoke S of the traveler or carrier 2by means of a short strap and buckle 16 17 or by some other suitabledevice which will permit it to freely slide from one end to the other ofthe said handle or yoke.

The use and operation of the device will now be considered.

The device may be used in a 'great many different ways. In its ordinaryuse the upper end of the rope 1 would be suitably secured to thebuilding at or in the vicinity of the window through which the escape isto be made, and the person desiring to use the device will first securethe strap 13 around his body, usually just below his arms, and will thentake hold of the lower portion of the traveler or carrier 2 and thelower member of IOO the pair of brake-levers IO. By pinching or pressingthe rope by means of the depending brake-lever l the person using thelire-escape may very easily regulate the speed at which he will descendthe rope. As the body is suspended by means of the strap 13, the arm andhand used to operate the brake-lever are relieved of all strains, exceptthose necessary to operate the said brake-lever. With the rope wrappedaround the friction-stud 3 no great amount of friction is necessarilyput upon the rope by the friction brake or lever.

The double-ended arrangement of the device adapts it to run over therope as well in one direction as the other. This feature is verydesirable in a great many instances. Suppose, for example, one ofseveral persons at a window has descended by means of the fire-escape,in which case the traveler or carrier will be at the lower end of therope. With this double-ended construction itis only necessary to draw upthe rope, attach the end previously lowered to a suitable support, andthrow the end previously secured out of the window. The device may thenbe used other end to and run in the opposite direction over the rope.

It will of course be understood that the device above described may beused in a great many other ways.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is as follows: v

The combination with a rope 0r other flexible connection, of thetraveler 2 having the stud 3 about which the rope is turned, andprovided with suitable guidechannels for the rope, including the eyes G,the pair of brake-levers pvoted to the traveleron opposite sides of thestud 3, the bail 8 connecting the opposite ends of the traveler, and thebody sling or strap secured to the bail 8, the brake-levers l0 being sodisposed that they may be gripped by the hand, the lingers of which arepassed through the opening formed between the body of the traveler andthe said bail 8 all for cooperation substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence ol two witnesses.

IRA Il. GLEASON.

Witnesses:

M. W. CLoY, C. G. ODQUIs'r.

